"I think all the mayors in Wake County will say we don't want guns in the hands of illegal people. But there's maybe a different approach," Eagles said.

He said there are already laws on the books that are not being enforced like they should. Eagles said he supports background checks on gun sales, but worries stricter control measures will eventually hurt gun owners who obey the law.

"Criminals are going to get to guns whether the good people have them or not," Eagles said.

Holcombe said the checks would apply to private and online gun sales and would close certain loopholes that allow criminals to get access to the weapons.